Chapter 6 Power Outages, Food Shortage, Military Takeover, And A Chance Encounter

I groaned slipping out of bed, last night was the worst night sleep I ever had. I tossed and turned all night long. It felt like the mysterious person was back and I could feel a pair of eyes on me. If I strained my ears I could almost hear a rustling sound like they were going through my room. But every time I turned around in bed to look there was no one there. When was this person going to show themselves? Why is this person seeking me?

What did they want, I thought as I went to my closet to figure out what I was going to wear today. Sifting through my meager choices of outfits I settled on a light green spaghetti strap sun dress with white daisies all over it. It was the shortest dress I could find. It seemed like today was even hotter than yesterday, how was that even possible, I thought slipping the sundress on over my head.

The days ahead just kept getting more intense, the sun becoming relentless, refusing to let up on this ungodly heat wave. Should I wear underwear today? I hated how sticky this heat was and how the underwear would just stick to me in the most uncomfortable of places. After contemplating I decided to forego my underwear. It was just to hot to layer up. Who needed underwear anyway.

After fixing my hair, I headed downstairs to find out what was on the agenda for today. The first few days of school we were already assigned seven assignments, two papers, and one group project the first week of school just begun and the teachers had already dumped a ton of homework on us. Today was Memorial Day so we had the day off of school.

I headed downstairs to the kitchen wondering what I was going to make for breakfast. It was just too hot to even think about school or any of my assignments. Walking into the kitchen I found my Aunt sitting on the kitchen counter waving a small handheld fan in her face, my cousin was sitting at the table painting her nails, while my Uncle was sitting in his recliner with a boxed fan directly in front of his face.

"You'll be going to the store today. My Aunt huffed.

"We need groceries for the house. The fridge stopped running so everything inside got ruined last night make sure when we get back you toss everything out. The AC stopped running as well. We were lucky enough to get the solar powered box fan to work. They must be working on the telephone wires outside because the power is out down the whole block."

"Marvin will be dropping you off since they put an advisory out not to walk on the street due to how hot the roads are. I'm not about ready to go to jail for you so you better count your blessings today. Your Uncle will pick you up on his way back from the office. He has to take care of an after hours patient. This should give you enough time to find some canned goods, we aren't sure how long this power outage is going to last."

"Do we have to get canned goods," Sarah complained. That stuff is like dog food. It's not good for my diet or my figure. Wait until the kids at school find out. I'm going to be the laughing stock eating canned food like a dog. Please can we at least grab a salad to go from Panera Bread?"

"Yes sweetie pie, we can't have your perfect figure ruined now can we?" my Aunt patted my cousin on the head doting on her. Retch I gestured pointing to my throat.

"Add that to your shopping list. I can't have my beautiful baby lose her perfect figure. She will never get married if that happens." I rolled my eyes, as if she'll get married, no man will ever date her if they find out she's an alien who never eats. She'll starve her husband out of the house.

"Ugh I can't understand why you only like to eat rabbit food," my Uncle scoffed. "Meat is so much better for you."

"Eww dad gross I don't want to become a giant meat muscle, and I most definitely don't want to eat dead things. It's gross. Stop picking on my food choices just because you don't like them," Sarah smiled wily as she stuck her tongue out at my Uncle playfully. Shaking my head I turned and headed out to the car. I was eternally grateful that I was going to be given a ride to the store today. I don't think my thin soled sandals will be able to withstand this heat for much longer.

Most days they would just have me haul a wagon all the way to the store and back. But not today I get to ride in my Uncle's car! I was happy that I didn't have to walk today. I was also excited because the stores had AC. I was so looking forward to being able to cool down for a few minutes at the store. My uncle and I piled into the car and off we went. Ten minutes later we finally arrived at the store and my uncle stopped in front to let me out. I turned to look back but he was already speeding off to his office.

Turning back, I ran into the store to get out of the heat I couldn't wait to feel a little of that wonderful AC, I smiled gleefully. But when I entered the store, a heat waved engulfed me instead of cool air. Frowning I looked around, the store was completely empty!!! I walked up and down the aisles there wasn't a single can of food on the shelves. This was not good, what are we gonna do now for food?

I'm going to get yelled at if I come out empty handed. I walked up to one of the store clerks and tapped her on the arm.

"Excuse me ma'am but could you tell me what happened to the food in the store? I was sent here to pick up canned goods but it looks like everything is gone." The store clerk bent down a look of apology on her face,

"I'm sorry sweetie but we are all sold out. The power went out here so all the cold food spoiled and had to be tossed out. It seems like the power is going out all over Traverse City. So people rushed to the stores at six this morning to stock up on non perishable food items. Chances are you're going to have to go out of town to find food," the lady replied with a small smile and a sad look in her eyes that told me she needed food for her family too.

Oh man this wasn't good. I turned and walked outside and pulled the cell phone my Uncle handed to me just before leaving out of my pocket and with a shaky hand I dialed up my Uncle. I was never allowed to have my own cell phone. I was given this one only when I did the grocery shopping for the house just incase my Aunt or Cousin called asking to add something to the list while I'm still at the store. Afterwards they would take the phone back. After a couple of calls my Uncle finally picked up.

"What is it, did you get the food like I asked? I'm very busy at the moment with a patient. What do you need, make it quick," my Uncle barked into the phone.

"Umm no there is no food at the grocery store. It is completely empty. The lady who works here told me the power went out all over town and that we might not find food in town," I stuttered into the phone.

"Your joking right? You checked all the aisles in the store? Never mind I'll be there in a few minutes. We will go to another store," click went the phone my Uncle hung up on me. I just stared at the phone dumbfounded. What are we going to do. I'm so hungry. I went and sat down on a bench with tears streaming down my face. This week was getting worse and worse. I was getting really scared. In about twenty minutes my uncle showed up.

I wiped my face on my arm and hopped in the car. My Uncle now frantic drove from one end of town to the other first stopping at Walmart, Target, Meijer's and every gas station in between but atlas there was no food. We pulled back up into the driveway and my Aunt and Cousin came out to see what we had brought home. Seeing our vacant expressions and empty hands my Aunt's face went from one of confusion to one of panic as my Uncle told her about not being able to find food.

"We will have to make do with what we have. Come on everyone inside. This heat will be the death of us all, my Aunt squeaked ushering us all into the house. She managed to scrounge up a few cans of green beans, a loaf of bread and butter and a jar of peanut butter and jelly. Everyone's stomachs grumbled in protest staring at the meager supply of food on the table.

My family didn't usually eat canned food, they would always have me go out and bring back fresh food from the store almost everyday, because of this they were unprepared in the event of a power outage and had no supplies stocked up on hand. I hated my family for their stupidity and lack of preparedness. I bet you, all of the doomsday preppers and the conspiracy theorists are all out there having the last laugh now, hidden in their bunkers and chowing down like Kings on their emergency supply food.

The next morning we all headed off to school irritable and hungry our stomachs grumbling the whole way there. My Aunt dropped Sarah and I off and drove off for another town with my Uncle in search of food. The topics we heard around school today were interesting to say the least. The talk of school was nothing more than about the power outages, the heat wave, and the food shortages. It was buzzing around the whole school as students complained about not having food or power at home and how dang hot it was outside.

It wasn't until I got to choir class that my teacher called for a study hall so that the teachers could all talk in private. The school erupted in cheers whispering to each other that we might not have homework today. When my choir teacher walked out the classroom a boy in the back of the class piped up,

"Listen everybody my dad is a marine in the military he told me something bad was going to happen. He didn't tell me everything because he said I was too young to know. I snuck downstairs last night and I overheard him tell my mom that the military was going to take over and start selecting families to go underground but not everyone will be allowed to go. I'm scared do any of you guys know what's going on or what's going to happen to us, are we going to die?" the boy asked the class as every face turned toward him with fear written on each and every face.

I stared in horror, what is going to happen to us? If what the boy was saying was true what will happen to those who aren't selected to go underground? What will become of them? My stomach churned, I didn't want to die, I still had my whole life ahead of me.

After hearing the boys comment the class was a buzz with chatter about what each student would do if they ran out of food or weren't selected. I stayed quiet in my seat staring over at Kaleb who was also sitting quietly deep in thought. My heart softened when I saw the worried look in his eyes. He looked just as desperate as the rest of us felt even though he didn't say anything. I have to tell him how I feel sooner or later, otherwise there won't be a later, if one of us isn't selected to go underground to escape the impending doom of this heat wave.

I was about ready to walk over to him when the bell tolled signaling the end of school. Kaleb dashed out of the classroom before I even had time to stand up. I sighed, well that was rotten luck. I got up and headed outside to wait for my family. My Uncle finally pulled up urging us to get in.

"Did you find any food dad," Sarah whined from the back seat.

"No sweetie we did not. I don't know why the damn President hasn't called a state of emergency yet, people are starving and he's probably just sitting at the White House getting fed like a pig," he growled into the steering wheel. Sarah sat back horror on her face. I sat in the back seat of my Uncle's car that day after school, trying to keep a brave face on for my cousin but deep down inside I was scared to death trembling like a leaf in my seat belt.

I was used to going hungry but Sarah my Aunt and Uncle's princess was not. Later that night my Aunt made up the last few peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for them, there was only one slice of bread left, she tossed me the slice, " here butter your own bread your on your own kiddo." I scowled, this was just too cruel even for her. I took my slice of bread and went upstairs. I couldn't bare to see my family right now.

After eating, I put on my night shirt and crawled into bed under the covers. I was just too tired and hungry to stay awake until bedtime. Even though it was so hot outside I didn't care. I was hoping the covers would bring me a little comfort and protect me from what was happening outside. Tossing and turning as the night went on I couldn't help but think, where did my guardian angel go as I slipped unconscious?

The night passed by in the blink of an eye, next thing I knew I was awakened to the sound of huge vehicles rumbling down the street. I jumped out of bed and scurried over to the window to look outside. For miles all I could see was a bunch of military hummers, humvees, and tanks rolling down the street toward town. These military vehicles must have come from the US army reserve base not far from where I lived. I was scared but curious as to why they were riding through town.

I ran down the stairs two at a time almost missing the kitchen entry,

"did you guys see the military vehicles outside? Do you know why they are here?"

"Yes we did, the military personnel knocked on our door about thirty minutes ago and told us we need to go to the fire station in our district so we can get food. They will be rationing out food to people until they can get the power back on. We were told most of the power grid in the United States has been shut down. So right now most people in America are without food. It's about time the damn government stepped in to help us, this bloody heat has been the cause of all this mess. I guess the end of the world preppers are probably laughing at all of us right about now," my Uncle laughed with a hint of malice in his voice. He was thinking the same thing I was only just yesterday.

Within the next few minutes we were all dressed and packed into the car heading to the fire station about a mile up the road. Upon arrival I saw many military personnel. Lines of people were forming everywhere I looked, everyone had a solemn look on their face. A man dressed in his army greens shouted at us,

"this way everybody single file line, please have your ID's ready, not a US citizen please step out of line no if's ands or buts, keep on moving forward." We continued to creep forward until finally we were at the front of the line.

"Next! Let me see your ID's. Shouted the military woman. My Aunt laid the ID's on the table. We need food for four please. The lady looked at our ID's and scanned them on her computer frowning she only handed out enough for three people.

"Next!" "Wait what about my niece. She didn't get her ration," my Uncle shouted above all the commotion.

"Sorry sir she is not a part of your family therefore we cannot give her a portion. She needs to come back with her parents if she wants her ration. This is how people steal food in a time of need. They pretend to drag another people's children along just so they can get free food."

I walked up to the military lady and tugged on her coat tears streaming down my face, I cried out, "my parents are dead. They died when I was a baby. I have been living with my Aunt and Uncle ever since. Please can you check your system again, I should be listed under their names, please don't forget about me." I was breaking down with each passing minute standing in that line. The military lady's eyes soften for just a moment she checked her computer again,

"I'm sorry but you aren't listed anywhere in our system are you sure your an American citizen? My jaw dropped dumbfounded, why could no one ever identify me?! The lady saw my expression feeling sorry for me,

"wait right here," she walked away for a moment searching in a box before she looked around her making sure no one was watching before she walked back to the table and pulled out a loaf of French bread out of a box and passed it to me.

"I'm sorry but this is all I can give you. I don't make the rules. The whole world is out of food. Something terrible is going to happen. I am not at liberty to say what it is but there isn't enough food to go around. A lot of resources have been disappearing around the world. The water supply is drying up due to the extreme heat wave. At this rate many people will starve before the end of this week."

Looking around to make sure no one was looking the nice military lady slipped a package of butter and the loaf of bread into my hands and spun me around and gave me a slight push before she whispered now go get out of here before I get in trouble. Next!" She shouted to the family in line behind us.

"How dare you not give my niece her ration, my Uncle shouted fury in his tone, he shook his fist at the military personnel, I demand an explanation!"

"Marvin let's go your causing a scene," we have enough food for now we will make due."

"Like hell I'm leaving," he continued shouting, "you good for nothing brat," I flinched knowing what was coming, somehow this was going to be all my fault, I braced for his assault.

"Now we have to share our rations with you?! I think not! How in the hell does your identity keep disappearing from their systems! It sure chose one hell of time not to show up." He barked turning on me. "You can get the hell out of here, scram, go find your own food, you can walk home, for all I care, now that you have nothing to bring to the table."

My Uncle grabbed Sarah's hand and pulled her to their car. My Aunt followed behind him embarrassed at the scene he had caused. They climbed into the car and drove off without me.

How was any of this my fault? I didn't ask for my parents to die, I didn't ask for anyone to never remember me, I didn't ask for my identity to keep disappearing, I didn't ask for this heat wave, and I didn't ask to starve like this, I was just a kid, I still haven't even hit puberty yet, I didn't have any control over my life. I relied on the words of adults around me. Tears flowed freely down my cheeks stinging my face. I ran with the loaf of bread in my arms, I ran as fast as I could to my secret hiding spot down at Cedar Lake.

Why did my family hate me so? Why did I feel like I was always a burden to them? My thoughts ran in turmoil in my mind, I couldn't answer a single one of my questions. About ten minutes later I had arrived at Cedar Lake, I found the tree that had my blanket that was stashed in one of the trunks. I pulled it out and set my food down on the blanket. Tossing off my shoes and my dress I ran to the edge of the water.

The lake was definitely drying up, there was about eight feet of shoreline exposed from where the sun had dried up the water. I dipped my foot in the water to test the temperature. It was warm like bath water. Staying close to the shore I dove in up to my waist. I had to wash the sticky sweat off of me. I cupped my hands in the water and brought it up to my hair dumping the water on top of me and letting it run down my back. I quickly scrubbed my body clean and headed for the blanket.

I glanced at my dress, and then at my naked body. It was too hot to put it back on, so I decided to leave it off, no one ever came here anyway. I laid down on the blanket under the shade of the tree curling up into a ball hugging my knees to my chest. I laid there contemplating about my life. I didn't want to go back home, my Uncle would probably just toss me back out. So I stayed there under the tree until the sun went down.

As I laid there my body began to ache, my tummy ached from hunger, my legs ached from all the running I have been doing, my feet ached from the soles burning on my shoes, my skin ached from the light of the sun, but what ached the most was my heart. My heart ached from being shunned by my family. I laid there crying, and sobbing my soul out underneath the stars wanting someone to take me away from this place, this pain, this hunger. No one knows I exist. Why am I ghost to this world I cried into the blanket.

I cried my eyes out into the dark I was crying so loud, that I didn't hear the footsteps approaching behind me. After the sun had went down, I decided I should probably head back home before my family sent a search party out for me for not coming back to do my chores. I was about ready to get up and go back home when I felt footsteps behind me. I choked off my sobs fear spreading down my spine.

I curled up trying to make myself as small as possible, holding my breath. The footsteps behind me paused for a moment like they were waiting for something, was this Kaleb, or perhaps it was the mysterious person who keeps appearing in my room? My heart drummed in my chest, blood pooling in my ears. In the silence of the night my heart beat sounded like drums echoing over the water. Don't breath, don't move, stop beating heart or they'll hear me! I tried to will my heart to stop beating so loudly.

The footsteps continued until I felt them stop just behind me, the person bent down reaching over me, I felt a hand stroke my cheek wiping at my tears, I shivered at this persons touch. Who was behind me? Adrenaline coursed through my veins, as this person laid down behind me pulling me into their chest and wrapping their arms around me. My entire body stiffened, fear gripping my heart. I wanted to scream out for help, but my voice caught in my throat.

I felt the mysterious person lean over and nuzzle my hair with their face, inhaling my scent. From the feel of it this person was really tall, my legs couldn't reach the end of there's. I felt this person's lips on my ear

"Breath my little one, I can't have you suffocating on me,"

I felt him whisper into my ear. Realizing I had been holding my breath this whole time, I drew in a large breath of air, my head spinning. He sounded like a male, someone who was way older than me. This was definitely not Kaleb. I had to see this persons face, I tried to turn around, but I couldn't move, this persons grip was like trying to move solid iron. I whimpered in his arms. I felt like I was a lamb trapped in a lions claws about to get eaten for dinner. I wasn't sure how long we laid there like that in complete silence, until he spoke again,

"You are too tense,"

I squeaked in terror when his hands started to caress my tummy, I just now realized that I was laying in this man's arms still naked from my swim earlier, my face heated up in agony,

"don't worry my little one, I will not hurt you, he whispered into my hair. Oh sure that's what they all say I thought to myself.

"Wh...who are yo...you? Wha...what do you wa...want with me?" I stuttered my lips trembling in terror.

"You are not ready to know that," I heard him whisper. There was another long pause of silence, "I came here tonight to console you, I couldn't bare to see how sad you looked. Your cries were like a knife being stabbed into my heart. I couldn't stand by any longer, I had to come and wipe your tears away."

"Hav...have you be... been watching me?" No response from him, I'm going to assume that means it was a yes.

"Relax my little one," he whispered squeezing me tighter against his chest. My Royal Advisor has done all of your chores. You do not have to go back to that house tonight. Your family believes you to be asleep in your room. Stay here tonight and sleep peacefully. I will protect you and watch over you while you sleep. Nothing will harm you while I'm here."

His hands stroked the length of my body trying to massage my tensed up muscles. I'm not going to lie, if I wasn't cowering with fear in a strange man's grasp, his hands would feel amazing on my body. They did wonders for the aches and pains I have been feeling the last few weeks. The more he spoke and caressed my body the more muddled my brain became. Shaking my head to try to clear the brain fog I reached out my hand trying to grab my dress that was crinkled up in a pile in front of me. Realizing what I was trying to reach for, the man flipped his cloak over her,

"I am the only one here, you don't have to worry about anyone seeing you like this except for me. You do not need to wear clothes when I am here. I will protect you, please don't hide your beauty from me."

I tensed up again, could he see me naked on this dark and moonless night? There was a sudden cool breeze emanating from his cloak, I was shocked, while everything was burning up around us this man's cloak remained cold like a cool winter breeze. I reveled in his arms, soaking in the cool breeze, the air around me was so dang hot, but this mans embrace staved off the heat like an ice box, making it that much harder for me to want to fight back and run away. The man massaged one of the kinks in my neck a purr accidentally escaping my lips. Oh no he was going to think I was enjoying myself in his arms. I mustn't lead him on, my mind screamed warning me of the danger.